Malta Geography:
Location:
Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates:
35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references:
Area:
total:
316 sq km
land:
316 sq km
water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0 km
border countries: NA
Coastline:
196 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 25 NM
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:
Mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources:
Limestone, salt, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 28.13%
permanent crops: 3.13%
other: 68.74%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
Very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements (not ratified)
Geography - Note:
The country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration |
